The King's Word

The Nativity of Our Lord: Christmas Day
December 25, 2015
John 1:14

“The King’s Word”

During the Advent season that has now come to a close, our preaching focused on Old Testament prophecies that pointed to the One who was to come, the promised Messiah. Preparation now gives way to celebration as we rejoice in the coming of that promised Messiah, Jesus, whose very name means Savior (Matthew 1:21). In the midst of all that is troubling our world, in the midst of so much uncertainty and insecurity, God calls us to celebrate and rejoice. How can we not sing out our thanks and praise to God for graciously and gloriously fulfilling that word of promise? That word of promise found in the closing words from Isaiah in today’s Old Testament lesson: “… and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God” (Isiah 52:10). In the coming of Jesus, who is the Word-made-flesh, the salvation of God has been seen and revealed for all to see. Our Advent theme for preaching was entitled, “The King is Coming!”and today on this Christmas morning, we rejoice that our King has come. I’d like to extend that Advent theme into our Christmas celebration and today focus on that appointed Gospel lesson (John 1:1-14). The theme for the message on this blessed Christmas Day is “The King’s Word.” May the Lord’s rich and abundant blessing rest upon the preaching, the hearing, and the living of his Word for Jesus’ sake.

Living as we do in a democracy, we are not so familiar with the power and authority of the king’s word. It is not part of who we are; in fact, the founding of our nation is based on rejection of the king’s word. But in the larger scope of history, our experience is the exception to the rule. Vast numbers of people throughout history were born, lived, and died under the king’s word. The king’s word was law, and in many instances, the king’s word was seen as divinely sent; from God himself through his vice-regent on earth, the king. The power of the king and his word was based on his ability to carry out that word and put it into practice. And that is exactly what Christmas is about: the power of our King to carry out his Word and accomplish it. The Word of our King is not limited to mere speechifying and pronouncements – something that we are all very familiar with as we enter into a presidential election year. No, the Word of our King goes far beyond this to do something that no one in their wildest dreams would have ever expected. This Word, we are told, was from the beginning “with God, and the Word was God…. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1b-5, 14). Our King’s Word is love in action – God sending his only Son in human flesh into our sin-sick world to restore all things to God. This is a re-ordering and redemption of life so that life no longer flows from greed, malice, or hatred, but rather flows from love and for love. This is what the King’s Word, the Word-made-flesh, means for us.

If there is one thing that undermines trust and credibility in relationships, in marriage and family, in politics and governance, in the workplace, in religion – in almost every sphere of life imaginable – it is when we do not keep our word; when our word cannot be trusted by others. You know what I am talking about here: when we say one thing and do another; when our words do not match our actions. There is incongruity and disharmony within and without us, and this is noticed by those around us who are uncertain how to take us. Trust and credibility can take a very long time to be established, but can be undermined very quickly. What kind of a God would there be if He did not keep his Word? Would such a God be worthy of worship and praise? Would we be able to put our trust in this God? Probably not. We can only imagine what all of this would be like. Over against this dark scenario, thanks be to God that our King’s Word is solid, trustworthy, and upright. Our King has kept his Word of promise, and that promise is fulfilled in Jesus, the Word-made-flesh, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in him” (2 Corinthians 1:20a).

As we think about the King’s Word and its fulfillment in Jesus, the Word-made-flesh, a paraphrase of Scripture called The Message puts John 1:14 like this: “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.” Interesting! By becoming flesh and blood, Jesus moved into our neighborhood – the neighborhood of our shared human existence, no matter where we may live. Now what does this mean for us? It means that Jesus who loves us so much that He was willing to be born as a helpless infant, and grew up to suffer and die upon the cross for our salvation, is in our neighborhood. Oh, He was already there long before we ever moved in. Think of Jesus as one of the original “owner-occupants” of your neighborhood. And because He is already there, He knows the needs of your neighborhood and each one of your neighbors. He knows your needs also, and desires to work through you to bless your neighbors, and to bless you through your neighbors. So as we seek to join Jesus on his mission, we don’t have to look very far for that mission; it’s right on our doorstep and next door and down the block. The King’s Word in that Word-made-flesh, Jesus, desires to make your heart his home. Some years ago, I received a Christmas card that has this simple but profound message on it: “Every time a hand reaches out to help another… that is Christmas. Every time someone puts anger aside and strives for understanding… that is Christmas. Every time people forget their differences and realize their love for each other… that is Christmas.” And that is the King’s Word, the Word-made-flesh, being lived out in real time in your life and in mine.

So let us celebrate the King’s Word with gladness. Let us give gifts of love to one another. Let us sing the beloved carols of Christmas with joy in our hearts. Let us make merry, and in mercy remember those in need, doing good to them, with them, and for them in the King’s Name. And may the King’s Word, the Word-made-flesh, Jesus Christ, bless and keep us all. Amen.